More importantly, his season bolstered the Saints' faith they were well placed to cope with life after Riewoldt with him and 2014's No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin on their list.

Bruce shapes as a valuable commodity in this year's market, with the remaining free agency pool down to just two key forwards not in their football twilight: Jack Watts and Tyrone Vickery – or three if you include Essendon swingman Cale Hooker.

Out-of-contract Gold Coast spearhead Tom Lynch would have attracted massive offers from opposition clubs, but the Victorian seems all but certain to recommit to the Suns.

A product of the Eastlake Football Club in Canberra, Bruce joined Greater Western Sydney as a zone selection in late 2011, playing 14 games in two seasons at the Giants.

He played 10 games in his first season at St Kilda before emerging as one of 2015's most improved players.